• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2000

Manual material handling(MMH)is major factor which causing physical injuries of worker at working area and frequency of low back pain(LBP) is increasing industrial accidents. Especially, working in bad circumstance such as farm, orchard, harbor loading and unloading, logging place and mining place which located in inclined slope can cause much possibility of hazard and absence of working balance can cause injuries of musculoskeletal system such as joint, bone, ligament. So, this study used EMG system to measure and evaluate muscle force information and fatigue of worker when lifting on slope. The result of measuring averaged integrated EMG(AEMG) shows multifidus muscle be used more than anything else in force. neck extensors are used at 15°, 20°frequently. generally the AEMG result shows multifidus muscle be used in force. Commonly, muscle fatigue of multifidus is higher than other muscle by analysis mean power frequency(MPF). The result of load sharing rate shows multifidus and erectorspinae which are deep spinal muscles is relatively high and neck extensor is low.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.355-361
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• 2017

This paper is the design for the welfare robot of apple artificial pollination by a survey for 25 elders' needs of Daegu-Gyeongbuk rural region. The results are summarized as follows. 1) In the apple farms of the region, most of farmers are the couples of 50 years thru 70 years to plant the apple trees only. The apple farm requires the senior farmers lots of painful works including their bone and muscle system problem to result in safety accidents. 2) For the aging progress of rural area, the senior farmers spend lots of labor hours and cost to do artificial pollination, a proper deletion of small fruits, and a speed spray, etc.. Most of them agree to the development of the welfare robot for an apple artificial pollination. 3) The survey results could be applied to the conceptual design in the users' point of view. Therefore, they are used as the important effects for the detail design and commercial design to develop the welfare robot for the rural seniors.

• Korean Journal of Rural Living Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 1997

In this study we tried to examine the efficiency of the agricultural convenient tool (put-on-style-stool) by observing subjects'physiological responses. For this we measured subjects' heart rate, oxygen consumption, blood lactate level, mean skin temperature and rectal temperature. The results of this study are as follows; Heart rate was 75$\pm$2 beats/min with the put-on-style-stool and 78$\pm$2 beats/min without it (P＜0.01). Oxygen consumption was 3.88$\pm$1.90 $m\ell$/kg/min with the Put-on-style-stool and 5. 06$\pm$0.40 $m\ell$/kg/min without it (P＜0.05). Blood lactate level was 2.39$\pm$0.64 mmol with the put-on-style-stool and 3.38$\pm$0.45 mmol without it (P＜0.05). Mean skin temperature was lower but rectal temperature was higher with than without the put- on - style - stool (P＜0.05 and P＜0.01 respectively) So, using the put-on-style-stool was evaluated positively in farmer's work.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.71-81
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• 2020

Enclosed pig house are creating an environment with high concentrations of gas and dust. Poor conditions in pig farms reduce pig weight and increase disease and accidents for livestock workers. In the pig house, the high concentration of harmful gas may cause asphyxiation accidents to workers and chronic respiratory disease by long-term exposure. As pig farm workers have been aging and feminized, the damage to the health of the harsh environment is getting serious, and real-time monitoring is needed to prevent the damage. However, most of the measuring devices related to humidity, harmful gas, and fine dust except temperature sensors are exposed to high concentrations of gas and dust inside pig house and are difficult to withstand for a long time. The purpose of this study is to develop an wearable based device to monitor the hazardous environment exposed to workers working in pig farms. Based on the field monitoring and previous researches, the measurement range and basic specifications of the equipment were selected, and wearable based device was designed in terms of utilization, economic efficiency, size and communication performance. Selected H₂S and NH₃ sensors showed the average error of 5.3% comparing to standard gas concentrations. The measured data can be used to manage the working environment according to the worker's location and to obtain basic data for work safety warning.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.73-76
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• 2022

Most of ants seem to be beneficial, whereas some of them are annoying or harmful. Among harmful creatures red imported fire ants have been notorious for not only destroying farm plants and domestic animals but also biting and killing human beings. The red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren and Solenopsis richiteri Forel, will feed on the buds and fruits of numerous crop plants. Large nests located in fields interfere with and damage equipment during cultivation and harvesting. They respond rapidly and aggressively to disturbances, and ant attacks inhibit field worker activities. A single fire can sting its target repeatedly. Young and newborn animals as well as humans are especially susceptible to the stings' venom. These pests can damage the environment by displacing native ant species and reducing food sources for wildlife. In Korea Solenopsis invicta Buren were found for the first time in Busan Gamman port in 2017. Then they were found in Incheon port, Pyongtaek port, North Daegu, Ansan in 2018 and Gwangyang in 2021. Once they invaded and occupied the terrestrial area, we have no proper solution to prevent them. I can assume that they have been successfully enlarging their colonies toward inland since they can move freely by flight. Therefore, I strongly suggest that we need to study ants in order not only to control harmful ants properly but also to preserve and use beneficial ants in this country.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.118-124
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• 2020

Background: The poultry industry in Pakistan has flourished since the 1960s; however, there are scarce data regarding the impact of occupational exposure on the pulmonary health of farm workers in terms of years working in the industry. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of poultry environment on the health of occupationally exposed poultry farmers in countries of warm climatic regions, such as Pakistan. This study will also show the effect of exposure to poultry facilities on the health of poultry farmers in the context of low-income countries with a relatively inadequate occupational exposure risk management. Materials and methods: The lung function capacity of 79 poultry workers was measured using a spirometer. Along with spirometry, a structured questionnaire was also administrated to obtain information about age, height, weight, smokers/nonsmokers, years of working experience, and pulmonary health of farm workers. The workers who were directly involved in the care and handling of birds in these intensive facilities were considered and divided into four groups based on their years of working experience: Group I (3-10 months), Group II (1-5 years), Group III (6-10 years), and Group IV (more than 11 years). The forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and the FEV1/FVC ratio were considered to identify lung function abnormalities. Statistical analysis was carried out using independent sample t test, Chi-square test, Pearson's correlation, and linear regression. Results: Based on the performed spirometry, 68 (86 %) of workers were found normal and healthy, whereas 11 (14 %) had a mild obstruction. Of the 11 workers with mild obstruction, the highest number with respect to the total was in Group IV (more than 11 years of working experience) followed by Group III and Group II. Most of the workers were found healthy, which seems to be because of the healthy survivor effect. For the independent sample t test, a significant difference was noticed between healthy and nonhealthy farmers, whereas Chi-square test showed a significant association with height, drugs, and working experience. Linear regression that was stratified by respiratory symptoms showed for workers with symptoms, regression models for all spirometric parameters (FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC) have better predictive power or R square value than those of workers without symptoms. Conclusion: These findings suggest that lung function capacity was directly related to years of working experience. With increasing number of working years, symptoms of various respiratory problems enhanced in the poultry workers. It should be noted that most of the poultry workers were healthy and young, the rationale being that there is a high turnover rate in this profession. The mobility in this job and our finding of 86% of the healthy workers in the present study also proposed healthy worker survivor effect.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2006

The principal aim of this field study was to determine the concentrations and emissions of gaseous contaminants such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in the different types of pig buildings in Korea and allow objective comparison between Korea and the other countries in terms of pig housing types. This field study was performed from May to June and from September to October in 2002. Pig buildings investigated in this research were selected in terms of three criteria; manure removal system, ventilation mode and growth stage of pig. Measurements of concentration and emission of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in the pig buildings were done in 5 housing types and the visited farms were 15 sites per each housing type. Concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were measured at three locations of the central alley in the pig building and emission rates of them were estimated by multiplying the average concentration($mg/m^3$) measured near the air outlet by the mean ventilation rate($m^3/h$) and expressed either per pig of liveweight 75kg(mg/h/pig) or per area($mg/h/m^2$). Concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in the pig buildings were averaged to 7.5 ppm and 286.5 ppb and ranged from 0.8 to 21.4 ppm and from 45.8 to 1,235 ppb, respectively. The highest concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were found in the mechanically ventilated buildings with slats; 12.1 ppm and 612.8 ppb, while the lowest concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were found in the pig buildings with deep-litter bed system(2.2 ppm) and the naturally ventilated pig buildings with manure removal system by scraper(115.2 ppb), respectively(p<0.05). All the pig buildings were investigated not to exceed the threshold limit values(TLVs) of ammonia(25 ppm) and hydrogen sulfide(10 ppm). The mean emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide per pig(75kg in terms of liveweight) and area($m^2$) from pig buildings were 250.2 mg/h/pig and 37.8 mg/h/pig and $336.3mg/h/m^2$ and $50.9mg/h/m^2$, respectively. The pig buildings with deep-litter bed system showed the lowest emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide(p<0.05). However, the emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide from the other pig buildings were not significantly different(p>0.05). Concentrations and emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were relatively higher in the pig buildings managed with deep-pit manure system with slats and mechanical ventilation mode than the different pig housing types. In order to prevent pig farm workers from adverse health effect caused by exposure to ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in pig buildings, they should wear the respirators during shift and be educated sustainably for the guideline related to occupational safety.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.403-411
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• 2023

Objectives: Formalin is used as an anthelmintic in farms where flounder are raised. In this study, we aim to identify formaldehyde exposure levels for aquaculture industry workers and provide basic data for managing formaldehyde exposure. Methods: Exposure levels of formaldehyde in the air, including formalin spraying operations, were assessed separately for personal and area samples. In addition, considering the formalin administration method, dermal exposure to the hands was estimated when administering the chemical, and dermal exposure to the legs during water tank work was estimated by collecting water in the water tank and evaluating the amount of formaldehyde remaining. Finally, the respiratory exposure level and the estimated dermal exposure level were added to derive the total exposure level and compared with the maximum allowable human dose. Results: As a result of the airborne evaluation, the formaldehyde concentration of the worker (1 person) who performed the formalin spraying and flounder sorting was 33.61 ppb, and the arithmetic mean of formaldehyde concentrations of the workers (3 people) who only performed the flounder sorting was 3.28 ppb (range: 2.25-4.89 ppb). In the case of dermal exposure, when spraying formalin once, the amount was estimated to be 0.33-2.62 mg when wearing protective gear and 3.27-26.12 mg when not wearing it. Conclusions: There was a difference in the formaldehyde exposure level of workers depending on their operation of handling formalin and whether or not protective gear was worn. In particular, because the level of formaldehyde exposure due to dermal exposure can be significant, there is a need to improve formalin administration methods in a way that avoids skin contact as much as possible.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.61-69
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• 2020

As post-harvest processes of onions are carried by a 20 kg-net package which results in high-cost and low-efficiency, especially, the insufficient drying and physical damage of onions after harvesting leads to a huge second loss in storage, we had developed a low-cost, high-efficiency post-harvest bulk handling machinery system by collecting onions on a farm using ton-bags, drying with forced air circulation, and sorting/packaging. The post-harvest bulk handling machinery system consisted of 6 devices, and this study designed an automatic feed hopper with a feeding rate control device, an inclined belt conveyor with a two-step chute, and an automatic pallet unloading device for feeding onions into the sorting/packing line. This study also analyzed the performance and control of the total system. The device had 1-ton handling capacity, but the operational condition was set to increase the capacity. The three-step filling method of pallet by the velocity control of the inclined belt conveyor was applied in the post-harvest bulk handling machinery system for the prevention of physical damage. If one worker was set to operate the total system, the time required to complete one palletized load was approximately 5 minutes and 5 seconds. The calculated daily handling capacity was approximately 94 tons, when the daily actual working time was 8 hours. When the developed system was applied to the managerial size of 2,000 ton, the processing cost per ton of the system was decreased by 19.5%, compared with the existing 20 kg-net package-based handling. The developed post-harvest bulk handling machinery system would be a good substitute for the rapid decline and aging of rural labor.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.163-173
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to determine microbiological risk factors in hot pepper farms for the application of good agricultural practices (GAP). Samples were collected from cultivation environments and utensils, plants, workers, and air at 3 hot pepper farms located in Cheongsong, Korea and were tested to detect sanitary indications [aerobic plate bacteria (APC), coliform, and Escherichia coli], foodborne pathogens, and fungi. APC, coliform, and fungi were detected at the levels of 0.7~6.2, 0.2~4.7, and 0.4~4.3 log CFU, respectively, in the three farms. Four (4.4%; l leaf, l irrigation water, and 2 soil) of 90 samples collected were revealed to be E. coli positives. For foodborne pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus was only detected at $1.0log\;CFU/100cm^2$ in the worker's cloth of B farm, and Bacillus cereus was detected at the levels 1.0~2.5 log CFU in the cultivation environments and utensils and worker of B and C farms. However, other pathogens were not detected. The results demonstrated potential microbiological risks for hot pepper cultivated in the farms. Therefore, a management system to minimize the microbial risk such as GAP is required to ensure the safety of hot pepper.